Tour "confident" on future of Irish Open

Graeme McDowell can look forward to celebrating his 32nd birthday on the final day of next year’s Irish Open.

The European Tour’s international policy chief, Keith Waters, says he is “confident” that the struggling event will get a sponsor and go ahead from July 28-31.

Despite the recent loss of sponsors 3, Waters is looking on the bright side as the tour gets set to release its the 2011 Race to Dubai schedule.

“It will be on the schedule on the same date as last year with TBA (to be announced) next to it,” Waters said in Hong Kong. “We are confident that we can secure a sponsor.

“The Irish Open is an integral and tremendously important part of the European Tour schedule and the Irish players have been playing so well lately that I am confident that it will go ahead.”

The European Tour has been in talks with Failte Ireland and potential sponsors over the future of the €3m event.

The tourism body to expected to increase its €1m stake in the prize fund despite the government’s pledge to slash spending during the current economic crisis.

Desperate to see the Irish Open survive its latest crisis, McDowell said recently: “It’s imperative that we find a way to make the Irish Open happen next year as no event in Ireland would be a travesty with the strength of Irish golf right now.”﻿

McDowell targets Irish Open dream

Graeme McDowell has set his sights on winning the 3 Irish Open during Ireland's golden golfing era.

As he prepared to challenge the likes of three-time major winner Padraig Harrington and potential world-beater Rory McIlroy for a €3 million prize fund at Baltray, McDowell knows that victory would put him in an elite club.

Sponsorship hopes raised as Irish Open confirmed for Portrush

Conor Mallaghan (Carton House), Richard Hills (Ryder Cup Director, European Tour), Redmond O’Donoghue (Chairman, Failte Ireland), George O’Grady (Chief Executive, European Tour), Arlene Foster (Tourism Minister, Northern Ireland Executive) Darren Clarke and Philip Tweedie (Captain, Royal Portrush) on the 18th green at Royal Portrush Golf Club after the announcement that the Irish Open will be played at Royal Portrush in 2012 and Carton House in 2013. (Photo by Patrick Bolger/Getty Images)Ulster pride in major winners Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke could help end the search for an Irish Open sponsor.

McDowell calls for links swing

Graeme McDowell would love to see a €5m Irish Open on a links course nearer to The Open. Picture: Fran Caffrey / www.golffile.ieDeep thinkers are in short supply among the golfing elite but Graeme McDowell could never be accused of failing to think outside the box when it comes to the fate of the beleaguered European Tour.